German 2010 donation for Bosnia and Herzegovina

International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) received a new donation from Federal Republic of Germany, one of the most regular supporters of the ITF and its programmes, in the amount of 550.000 EUR. The MoU was signed on 21 June 2010 at the Embassy of Germany in Ljubljana, by H.E. Matthias Ludwig Bogislav von Kummer, the German Ambassador to Slovenia and Mr. Dorijan Marši?, ITF Director. 

The 2010 donation is earmarked for demining and technical survey activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be carried out by the “Norwegian People's Aid” (NPA) through which over 910.000 square metres of land should be handed over to the local communities in Gornji Vukši? and Blaževac-Pelagi?evo. 

In total, Germany has contributed to ITF more than 19.4 million EUR for demining activities in Southeastern Europe and remains one of the most regular and biggest donors to the ITF's 12 years of engagement.  

Demining activities remain one of the most important pre-conditions for socio-economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the heaviest mine contaminated countries in the world. 

Because of its economic situation, Bosnia and Herzegovina still has difficulties to secure itself the complete support of required mine action and therefore continuoisly needs the help of organizations such as the ITF and the donor community. 

Support of Germany for mine action activities is an important step forward toward the 'mine free BiH' by 2019 as well as achieving a universal goal - "a world, where the security of individuals and communities is assured."